Most people who buy a car new and keep it for decades just try to keep it original. But not Repaupo’s Neal Lamson. He was one of many who bought a Sunbeam Tiger, a special model of the Sunbeam sports car produced by the Rootes Group in Britain in their short-but-happy period from 1964 to 1967. He still drives it to occasional car shows today and freely admits that “no part of the car is in its original state,” and many have been totally redone or replaced — some twice, like much of the chrome plating.

Neal’s pride and joy, which he purchased new Aug. 12, 1965, is the first of three versions. His is a Mark I, the 2,047th car built. The later versions were the Mark I-A and the Mark II. Despite the badges on his car proclaiming its engine to be a Ford 260, he replaced the engine with the Ford 289 in 1980. But we’re getting way ahead of ourselves.

Among the cars that the Rootes Group produced and sold was the very solid and reasonably popular Sunbeam Alpine with a modest 1.6 liter four-cylinder powerplant. (Do you remember it from the “Get Smart” TV show?) It held its own among the Triumphs, MGs and other popular British sports cars of the era, but found it was losing sales to the better-performing Jaguars, Austin-Healey sixes and American Corvettes, Corvairs and Mustangs. The executives at Rootes went in search of an existing V-8 motor compact and powerful enough to put the Sunbeam back in the horsepower/performance race.

They hurriedly surveyed the available engines and settled on the Ford 260 cubic-inch motor that put out 164 hp with 258 pounds-feet of torque. And they had the good sense to engage the legendary Carroll Shelby to install the engine and reconfigure the steering and front suspension to accommodate it. After thoroughly testing a couple of prototypes they presented the car to Sir William Rootes, who enthusiastically green-lighted production after being thoroughly impressed with how well-integrated the new engine and transmission were. The chassis could handle the power boost.

The car was transformed, and nothing short of sensational. The company marketed upgrades and modification kits (soon aftermarket firms followed suit), and the car was THE CAR TO HAVE at rallies, drag strips and SCCA races.

Neal was captivated and had to have one. And he hasn’t let go of it since. He’s put many a mile on it and has enjoyed every one. And he’s upgraded as he’s gone along. With his engineering background and considerable mechanical and fabricating skills, his car has flourished with every improvement.

The total price of his Tiger in 1965 was $3,569 — a nice chunk of change back then for the “tiny” Tiger. That price included the $59 heater, the $35 whitewall tires, the $12 seatbelts and the $38 tonneau cover. “I forget what I paid for the dealer-installed radio,” one of the few receipts he doesn’t have.

The most original part of the car is the body, even considering the right front and rear fenders and right-side door he replaced because of damage from an accident. And the stunning dark-blue paint Neal mixed from a Saab paint code sets the car off from others.

The rest of the car has seen significantly progressive changes. An aluminum radiator and heads. A Holley four-barrel carburetor. Edelbrock intake manifold. A _ race cam. All Heavy-Duty. Lots more polished chrome and stainless underhood. The K & N air cleaner cover he made from a cakepan! The Milodon Road Racing oil pan is partitioned to keep oil near the pickup. Not an inch of precious under-hood space is wasted but everything is accessible.

And then there’s the hood itself. Neal made it of carbon fiber and cut in louvers and a fresh air intake that manages hot and cold airflow. It looks and functions so much better than the plain — and much heavier — original. And the four-speed transmission with electric overdrive is, technically, eight speeds. Even the wheel centers — crafted from hood badges made only in England — are custom-made and color-keyed. The car is a showcase of Neal’s craftsmanship.

Originally 2,500 pounds, Neal’s car weighs right around 2,400 pounds because of all the weight-saving parts. The 289 motor was 200 hp with 182 ft-lbs of torque in stock form. It’s over 300 now!

With this horsepower-to-weight ratio, you can just about guess how it goes. My big feet had trouble with the close-set pedals, but it’s easy to understand why it electrified the car world in the 1960s. It’s still an electrifying performer today! And it’s no wonder that Neal is the only member of the Alpine Club of Kulpsville, Pa. who bought the car new. He’s been a Tiger believer from the get-go.

And it’s hard not to see the twinkle in his eye when he says, “People tell me it’s special, but it’s just my car. It’s not going to be in the movies or anything.”